Black Coal Mining Industry Award pay rates from 1 July 2026: mineworker rates from induction to specialised, Saturday, Sunday, public holiday, overtime and shift rates, staff employee groups A to M and graduates, with take-home pay in 2026–27.
A mineworker starts at $31.15 an hour during induction and gets $33.94 once assessed as competent. Full-time under this award is 35 hours a week. Open in the pay calculator.
Mineworker pay rates (production and engineering)
| Classification | What it means | Hourly | Weekly (35 hours) | Year (52 weeks) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineworker - Induction level 1 | Entry level for a non-trade person doing the statutory and site induction | $31.15 | $1,090.10 | $56,685 | $1,853 |
| Mineworker - Induction level 2 | Entry level for a certificated tradesperson doing the induction | $31.75 | $1,111.10 | $57,777 | $1,881 |
| Mineworker - Training | Trains in and performs tasks under direct supervision | $31.75 | $1,111.10 | $57,777 | $1,881 |
| Mineworker | Assessed as competent in a variety of operating circumstances, limited supervision | $33.94 | $1,187.80 | $61,766 | $1,983 |
| Mineworker - Advanced | Competent in all relevant operating circumstances above Mineworker; may supervise others | $35.57 | $1,245.10 | $64,745 | $2,059 |
| Mineworker - Specialised | Performs specialised functions beyond Mineworker - Advanced | $39.23 | $1,373.10 | $71,401 | $2,232 |
Adult rates. Descriptions are summarised from Schedule A of the award. Take-home pay is after income tax and the Medicare levy for a full year in 2026–27.
Weekend, public holiday, overtime and shift rates
| Classification | Saturday first 4 hours | Sunday | Public holiday | Overtime first 3 hours | Overtime after 3 hours | Afternoon or rotating night (not open cut) | Permanent night |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineworker - Induction level 1 | $46.73 | $62.30 | $93.45 | $46.73 | $62.30 | $35.82 | $38.94 |
| Mineworker - Induction level 2 | $47.63 | $63.50 | $95.25 | $47.63 | $63.50 | $36.51 | $39.69 |
| Mineworker - Training | $47.63 | $63.50 | $95.25 | $47.63 | $63.50 | $36.51 | $39.69 |
| Mineworker | $50.91 | $67.88 | $101.82 | $50.91 | $67.88 | $39.03 | $42.43 |
| Mineworker - Advanced | $53.36 | $71.14 | $106.71 | $53.36 | $71.14 | $40.91 | $44.46 |
| Mineworker - Specialised | $58.85 | $78.46 | $117.69 | $58.85 | $78.46 | $45.11 | $49.04 |
Full-time and part-time production and engineering employees, Monday to Friday overtime. Saturday after 4 hours is double time. Open cut shift rates and roster-based overtime are in the pay guide.
Staff employees and graduates
| Classification | Hourly | Casual hourly | Weekly (35 hours) | Take-home per fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coal mining industry employee - Group A | $33.39 | $41.74 | $1,168.60 | $1,957 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group B | $34.34 | $42.93 | $1,201.90 | $2,002 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group C | $35.22 | $44.03 | $1,232.70 | $2,043 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group D | $35.76 | $44.70 | $1,251.60 | $2,068 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group E | $36.48 | $45.60 | $1,276.80 | $2,101 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group F | $36.83 | $46.04 | $1,289.20 | $2,118 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group G | $38.77 | $48.46 | $1,357.10 | $2,210 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group H | $39.23 | $49.04 | $1,373.10 | $2,232 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group I | $39.84 | $49.80 | $1,394.40 | $2,261 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group J | $40.38 | $50.48 | $1,413.30 | $2,287 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group K | $41.29 | $51.61 | $1,445.20 | $2,330 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group L | $42.30 | $52.88 | $1,480.50 | $2,378 |
| Coal mining industry employee - Group M | $43.97 | $54.96 | $1,539.00 | $2,458 |
| Graduate engineer level 1 | $32.30 | $40.38 | $1,130.64 | $1,907 |
| Graduate engineer level 2 | $34.73 | $43.41 | $1,215.44 | $2,020 |
| Graduate engineer level 3 | $37.96 | $47.45 | $1,328.50 | $2,171 |
| Commercial graduate level 1 | $31.87 | $39.84 | $1,115.52 | $1,887 |
| Commercial graduate level 2 | $34.26 | $42.83 | $1,199.18 | $1,998 |
| Commercial graduate level 3 | $37.45 | $46.81 | $1,310.74 | $2,147 |
How it works
- The Black Coal Mining Industry Award covers black coal mining. Metal and mineral mining is under the Mining Industry Award.
- Super is paid on top. Many coal mines pay under an enterprise agreement, so check yours.
Common questions
What is the Black Coal Award pay rate?
From 1 July 2026, a mineworker starts at $31.15 an hour ($1,090.10 for a 35-hour week) during induction. A fully competent Mineworker gets $33.94 and a Mineworker - Specialised $39.23.
How many hours is a full-time week under the Black Coal Award?
An average of 35 ordinary hours, not 38. That's why the weekly rates are lower than hourly rate × 38.
What is the public holiday rate in coal mining?
Triple time for production and engineering employees ($93.45 at Induction level 1). Sunday is double time ($62.30).
Are coal miners paid award rates?
Many black coal mines pay under enterprise agreements. The award is the legal minimum, and an agreement must leave employees better off overall compared with it.
What are the night shift rates?
Away from open cut mines, afternoon and rotating night shifts are 115% ($35.82 at Induction level 1) and permanent night shift 125% ($38.94). Open cut shift rates add an amount per shift; see the pay guide.
When do the rates go up?
Each year from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. Next: 1 July 2027 (Annual Wage Review).
See also the Mining Award, award pay rates and the overtime calculator.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide and award text, Black Coal Mining Industry Award [MA000001], rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026. Take-home pay: ATO tax rates. Checked 2026-10-22. General information only.